Georgia Department of Labor - Press Release 
Georgia Department of 
Labor 
Suite 642  148 International Boulevard N.E. 
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1751 (404)656-3032 
 
March 2, 2000 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
 
BANNEKER HIGH STUDENT WINS LABOR DEPARTMENT'S BLACK HISTORY MONTH ESSAY WRITING CONTEST 
 
ATLANTA -- Brandy A. Sims of College Park, a senior at Banneker High School, was named first-place winner in an essay writing contest sponsored by the Georgia Department of Labor during the department's eighth annual Black History Month celebration held recently in Atlanta. 
 
State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond presented the award and a $50 check to Sims. 
 
Sims won in the 11-12 grade competition with an essay entitled, "Heritage and Horizons -- The African-American Legacy and Challenges of the 21st Century." Other essay award winners include Tedrick Kelly of Waynesboro, an eighth grader at Burke County Middle School, who won in the 6-8 grade competition, and Jessica Jackson of Atlanta, a sophomore at Frederick Douglas High School, who won in the 9-10 grade competition. Each winner received $50. 
 
In a public speaking contest, Ricaelle Gonzalez of Acworth, a junior at North Cobb High School, won first-place honors with a speech entitled, "Breaking Through Cultural Stereotypes in the New Millennium." Matthew Hall, a senior at South Atlanta High, was named first runner-up in the public speaking contest, while Stephanie Samuels, a junior at Newnan High, was named second runner-up. The students received $100, $50 and $30 respectively. 
 
NEWS MEDIA NEEDING MORE INFORMATION MAY CALL (404) 656-3032. 
 
E-mail: communications@dol.state.ga.us. 
 
FY-00-396 
 
An Equal Opportunity Employer 
file:///E|/pressrel%20from%201-98%20to%20present/a00396.htm10/27/2004 12:34:17 PM